As we began to walk toward our cars, Gai gave me a sly smile that made my heart race. What was she about to say? She couldn’t have found out about Alexander and me, could she?


    “It’s not easy being the apple of the boss’s eye, is it?” she teased.


    Iughed, trying to seem nonchnt, but even my chuckle sounded strained. “Go home and get some sleep to recover from those whiskey shots during lunch. You’re wee for covering for you today, by the way. Alexander didn’t even find out.”


    Gai blew me a kiss. “Thank you, you’re the best.”


    We said goodbye, and when I got into my car, a wave of tiredness swept over me. I considered canceling dinner, but I didn’t want to have to figure out what to have on my own. Besides, seeing Ava always cheered me up, and Aiden was a good guy.


    When I was halfway to her apartmentplex, my phone began to ring, and I answered the call using my car’s Bluetooth.


    “Hey, girl,” Ava’s voice floated through my speakers. “Are you on your way?”


    “Yes. I should be there in about ten minutes,” I said and flicked on my turn signal to mergenes.


    “Can you actually do me the biggest favor and stop at the grocery store that’s right on the corner of myplex? I totally forgot to get a clove of garlic, I need more butter and two bottles of red wine.”


    “No problem,” I said, happy to help out my friend who was feeding me.


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    The store was packed with people shopping for their own dinners. It took me about thirty minutes until I was knocking on Ava’s door. My stomach was growling, and my eyes were heavy with exhaustion. But I was determined to have a rxing night with my friend.


    Aiden opened the door and pulled me in for a hug.


    “Hi,” I said and smiled. “It isn’t that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you still doing in town?”


    “I finished up my semester at school,” he exined as he helped me take the groceries inside. “I’m staying with Ava for the summer.”


    “If you need help finding a summer job, I could definitely help you,” I offered as we walked toward the kitchen.


    “That would be great! I was thinking…”


    But I didn’t hear the rest of Aiden’s sentence. Because I stopped in my tracks when I saw the person sitting on the couch looking like he was right at home.


    Alexander.


    My eyes widened with shock.


    He smirked at me and stood from the couch to help me with the grocery bags in my hands.


    “Hi, there,<i>” </i>he said. “I forgot to mention that I was invited to Ava’s for dinner, too.”


    As he bought the bags into the kitchen where Ava was cooking, I red at him.


    I didn’t believe his story. I bet he called Ava when he found out I would be here tonight. He wanted to make sure that Aiden didn’t flirt


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    with me. Annoyance made me clench my hands. This was going too far.


    Then Gai and Richard came from the hall, carrying tes and silverware.


    I blinked in surprise at them.


    “After I invited you I decided to have a dinner party!” Ava said from her spot at the stove when she noticed my confused look.


    “Oh…great,” I said, not wanting to be rude. “The more the merrier.<i>” </i>


    Ava grinned. “That’s what I thought.”


    I went to the kitchen to see how I could help. Of course, Alexander intercepted me. That man had no idea what a secret rtionship entailed.


    “I’m going to help out in the kitchen,” I told Alexander, trying to scoot past him.


    He moved and gestured for me forward. “Okay, Oli,” he said in a loud voice and winked. “We’re not at work, so I’m allowed to call you that.”